How to Strengthen Quads During Knee Therapy

There are several types of knee therapy exercises to help strengthen and develop the quad muscles that support the knee. One of them is the full arc knee extension exercise. Do these exercises during the intermediate phase of recovery after injury or surgery.

Things You'll Need

• Chair or bench

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Instructions

• 1

  Consult with a physical therapist prior to doing any type of knee therapy exercises. This information is not a substitute for medical or therapeutic advice.

• 2

  Sit on a chair or bench with both feet flat on the floor. Make sure the height of the chair or bench is not too tall or short, so that there is a 90 degree bend at the knee joint.

• 3

  Contract the abdominal muscles and straighten the back, opening up the chest, so you are sitting up tall. Hold the sides of the chair or bench if necessary for balance and stability.

• 4

  Straighten the leg from the knee joint and make sure to keep the hip joint stable. Slowly extend the leg up using the quad muscles and hold at full extension, or as close to full extension as possible, for 10 seconds.

• 5

  Inhale and slowly bend at the knee joint, returning to the starting position. Allow the quad muscles to relax for a second, then repeat the movement in a slow and controlled manner for approximately total 10 reps to complete these knee therapy exercises.